The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), in partnership with the Male Feminists Network, joined the global community on Saturday to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child in Kano, with a renewed commitment to advancing girls’ education, empowerment, and leadership.
The event, held at Bjorn Beckman Hall, CITAD Office, Kano, was themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis.” It drew participants from secondary schools, educators, gender advocates, and development partners to explore the vital role girls play in driving social transformation, even in times of crisis.
Speaking during the event, Sani Saidu Muhammad, Programme Officer of the Male Feminist Network Project, explained that the initiative, supported by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, aimed to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and equip young girls with knowledge on how to protect themselves.
Muhammad described GBV as a pervasive threat to women’s health, dignity, and development, noting that “the effects are devastating, ranging from physical and psychological trauma to the loss of life.” He emphasized that women are the backbone of any society and deserve stronger legal and social protection.
He also urged the government to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws and reform the judicial system to guarantee justice for victims of GBV.
One of the participants, Zainab Ibrahim Sarki, a student of GGSS Hassana Sufi Model, called for greater efforts to provide equal opportunities for girls to learn, lead, and innovate. “When girls are empowered, communities thrive,” she said.
Speakers at the event identified the challenges faced by girls in crisis-affected areas—such as limited access to education and exposure to GBV—and called for collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and community stakeholders to tackle these issues.
Highlights of the program included thematic presentations, interactive discussions, and award presentations to participating schools for their contributions to promoting girls’ rights.
The commemoration ended with a call to action, urging parents, policymakers, and community leaders to ensure that every girl child is educated, protected, and empowered to realize her full potential.
